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Viper Island is a quaint little island near Port Blair. It has a historical significance, as the British used to keep the Indian freedom fighters here in exile. There is still a jail building atop a hillock that gives a unique charm to this place. The name Viper was kept on the name of a vessel ‘Viper’ which brought Lt. Archibald Blair to Andaman in the 17th century. The vessel met with an accident, and its remains were found on this island. Viper Island makes for an ideal picnic spot due to its rustic charm.
Viper Island Location
Photo: Greens and Blues / Shutterstock / Image For Representation Only
Specifically, Viper Island is situated in the Bay of Bengal among the Andaman Islands. Situated roughly four kilometres west of Port Blair, the main city of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, it is a part of the South Andaman district. Its location is such that Britishers used it as a jail to imprison the convicts and political prisoners. It is reachable via ferries and car rides.
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Port Blair
How To Reach Viper Island
Photo: LN9267 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
The island can be conveniently reached via road and sea from Port Blair.
By Road: The road journey to Viper Island includes crossing the stretch of the sea and reaching the island. This journey can take about 45 minutes. The taxi ride may cost up to, ₹250 per person.
By Sea: Ferries sail from Port Blair to Viper Island and back regularly. The tourists can take a boat ride from Phoenix Bay jetty. It takes around 20 minutes to reach the Harbour Cruise on Viper Island. The ferry charges range from ₹75 to ₹150.
Places To Visit In And Around Viper Island
The harbour offers various scenic views and is popular among tourists due to its historical attractions. It has a beautiful natural environment, perfect for enjoyable picnic spots. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a Deer while you’re visiting.
1. The Old Jail
The Old Jail is one of the most popular attractions on Viper Island. It speaks of the history and the tortures done by the British on the convicts. The remains of the jail still stand there and represent the bitter lives of Indian freedom fighters. Even though there are only ruins present, the place still has a pastoral charm. It takes around 5 minutes to reach this place from Port Blair.
Timings: 9 AM – 3 PM
Entry Fee: NA
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Andaman And Nicobar In 5 Days
2. Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park
Photo: Nilanjan pathak / Wikimedia Commons
The Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park is a collection of 15 untouched islands and is located at a distance of only 25 km from Port Blair. It preserves the exotic flora and fauna of the Andaman Islands, like starfish, dolphins, turtles, sea cucumber, sea urchin, stag horn coral, butterfly fish, white-bellied sea eagle, civet, and many more. There is marine diversity, tropical evergreen forests, mangroves, and coral reefs. Tourists also love to indulge in water sports like scuba diving and snorkelling here.
Timings: 6 AM – 5 PM
Entry Fee: ₹50 for Indians and ₹500 for Foreign nationals
3. Samudrika Marine Museum
Photo: Yercaud-elango / Wikimedia Commons
This museum, built by the Indian Army, contains a lot of information about Viper Island. It shows the tribal history, marine ecosystem, and various species of plants and animals found on this island. It is an exciting place to visit as it gives insight into life on the island and its history. The main attraction of the museum is the huge skeleton of a Blue Whale, placed on the lawn. It is said that this whale was once rescued from Nicobar Island. The Viper Island tourism experiences a boost, thanks to the presence of the Samudrika Marine Museum.
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM
Entry Fee: ₹50 for adults and ₹25 for children
Suggested Read: Museums In Port Blair
4. Chatham Saw Mill
Photo: Stefan Krasowski / Wikimedia Commons
Chatham Saw Mill is one of the oldest and largest sawmills in Asia. It is connected to Port Blair by a bridge. It explains the intriguing process of timber cutting. Furthermore, it has a variety of timber stored in it, like Gurjan, Marble, Padauk, Satinwood, and more. There is a forest adjacent to the mill that houses a great diversity of flora and fauna. Viper Island’s location has good historical significance due to such places.
Timings: 8 AM – 2:30 PM
Entry Fee: ₹10 per person
5. Corbyn’s Cove Beach
Photo: Doctors photography / Shutterstock
This beach is very near Port Blair and is a picturesque destination. It boasts clear waters and soft sand on the shores. Tourists enjoy a lot of water sports here, like jet skiing, banana boat rides, and many more. It is a perfect place to relax and indulge in water adventures. It is around 10 km from Viper Island and a must-visit place.
Timings: 24*7
Entry Fee: NA
Suggested Read: Beaches In Port Blair
Where To Stay
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There are many hotels to stay near the Island. They are located in Port Blair. You can choose from great properties like Lemon Tree Hotel, Seashell Coral Cove, The North Reef, Driftwood Hotel and Resort, and more. They provide comfort and convenience and you can opt for facilities like breakfast and parking. It is advised to pre-book the rooms, especially during peak season, to avoid any last minute disappointment.
Where To Eat
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In order to maintain the cleanliness, there are no restaurants or eateries on Viper Island, but there are places to eat at nearby locations like Port Blair, Havelock and Neil Island. Some nearby restaurants that offer tasty meals include : New Lighthouse Residency, Annapurna Restaurant, Seafood Delight, Café Down Under, Ananda Multi-Cuisine Restaurant, and TRIO. Tourists can satisfy their taste buds while exploring this fascinating island.
Suggested Read: Nightlife In Port Blair
Best Time To Visit
Photo: Rockydsuza / Wikimedia Commons
The best time to visit this island is from November to February. The Viper Island weather is the most pleasant during this time as the humidity is very low. The timings for visiting the island are 9 am to 4 pm from Monday to Saturday. It remains closed on Monday.
Other Factors To Consider
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Here are some factors to consider while you plan your trip to the Viper Island.
Average Cost Of Trip
Taking into account the cost of travelling to this island and entry fees to different places on the island, the average cost is ₹400 for an Indian national. Tourists usually get packed meals as there are no eateries or restaurants on this island.
Tips For Travellers
- Carry a sunscreen and hat for protection from the sun
- Pre-book the tickets for boat rides
- Carry a packed meal to explore the island, as there are no eateries on Viper Island
Suggested Read: Things To Do In Andaman
Viper Island is an island that offers an insight into the history of the Britishers who ruled India. It is also a good place to rejuvenate the soul and enjoy nature in its raw form. Now that you’ve learnt about Viper Island, you must visit and experience it in real-time. Plan your trip with TripXL and be sure to have a memorable experience.
Cover Photo: Roop_Dey / Shutterstock / Image For Representation Only
